Tesco is selling the Komodo Dragon - the UK's hottest chilli pepper

The Komodo Dragon chilli pepper is being sold at 500 Tesco stores across the UK Tesco

Those who want to add an extra kick to their meals have a new ingredient to use: the Komodo Dragon chilli pepper.

Now available at 500 Tesco stores across the UK, it is hottest ever chilli pepper to be sold in a British supermarket.

Measuring a scorching 1.4 million Scoville units - the Scoville scale is used to measure the heat of the fruit - the Komodo Dragon is far hotter than a jalapeno pepper, which is just 3,500 Scovilles.

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“In recent years we’ve had the fearsome Dorset Naga, the searing Bhut Jolokia and the mouth-numbing Trinidad Scorpion. But they all pale in comparison to the UK’s latest commercially grown chilli pepper – the mighty Komodo Dragon which puts the others in the shade,” said Eleanor Mansell, Tesco’s chilli pepper buyer, in a statement.

The Komodo Dragon is definitely not one for the faint-hearted or spice-fearing foodies.

Mansell said it would take around 10 seconds before the full heat of the Komodo Dragon, priced at £1 per pack, was felt by consumers.

“This is definitely a chilli pepper for connoisseurs and for those who are experienced in eating really, superhot food," said Mansell.